Welcome to the online diary of a Central Oregon Grandmother (me) who is busy celebrating the positive portions of her everyday life ... along with her best friend husband (Cary). It is quite an eclectic diary and I try to do my best to incorporate a little bit of history into many of my posts. Your visit to our piece of American Pie is greatly appreciated. This chatty Kathy posts frequently, so coming back to visit often is highly encouraged.

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My words and photographs are copyrighted, and may not be used without permission, even on Pinterest.

~ Kathy M.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Uncle John and Aunt Signa Hedrick Go to Reno:

This week's Sepia Saturday theme has to do with cows at market. Well, my only old cow photo is this one, and I'm not going to give you a bunch of bull ... I have shown it on here before!

I really wanted to share some old postcards that my Uncle John and Aunt Signa bought in Reno, Nevada when they were on their trip to Salt Lake City, Utah in November 1945. I learned from Mom that they were on their honeymoon, and were married at Aunt Signa's brother's home in Prineville. They were married after WWII was over, and Uncle John got back from being stationed in Brazil. (Here is a post about him going on leave to visit a cemetery, and why the USA was in Brazil during WWII "CLICK HERE".)

Here is the happy young couple on their wedding day. Uncle John became a radiologist, and Aunt Signa a telephone operator.

Here are the postcards. I think that they went to the trouble of buying them and getting them ready to mail, but I don't t think they actually mailed them. The postcards didn't have any stamps on the back and were all together in Uncle John's mementos.

To: Mrs. Hazel Woods, Drain Oregon (Aunt Signa's mother)

Elko, NevadaNovember 23, 1945

Dear Mom,

Thought sure I would get a card off to you yesterday, but couldn't get around. So hard to find places open and where to go. It has been late every night when we get in. So far we haven't slept in the car, but thought maybe we would have to last night. We had a flat tire at 7 miles from Elko. We haven't had any snow since we left Bend. (I can't make out the last sentence.)

Love, Signa and John

11-23-45Elko, Nev.

Dear Folks,

Here we are at Elko and everything going fine except we did have a flat yesterday. The weather and roads are swell. Will try to drop you a line from Salt Lake.

Love,John and Signa

To: Mr. and Mrs. Ethan L. Woods, 128 Idlewood Ave., Prinville, Ore.

Elko, Nevada11-23-45

Things are going fine. No snow since we left Lakeview except in the hills, but the roads are dry. And just one flat tire and that was yesterday. Thanks a lot for everything. We have been having good luck getting places to stay so far. I have decided that all they do in Nev. is drink and gamble.

Love, John and Signa

I just can hear the relatives telling others, if they HAD received the postcards, "Oh, we heard from John and Signa! They had a flat near Elko and John says that all they do in Nevada is drink and gamble!"

The following postcards were never filled out, and the pictures are very clear:

I also have a bunch of postcards that they brought back from Salt Lake City, bought as souvenirs. Sometime I will get around to scanning and posting those also.

So, there you are, my friends. If you enjoyed this story, please visit my Sepia Saturday friends by "CLICKING HERE" to find other neat photos and stories. To read more about my family and other stories featuring old
photos, memories and more, please look for this picture of me and my dad
on the left-hand sidebar and read whatever else catches your fancy. Thanks so much for visiting!

Those postcards are real gems. I find it sad that they were never sent. I hope the couple didn't have to face a lot of complaints when they got home about why nobody heard from them. What a history of the time back then those cards are.

Wow, does the penny postcard bring back memories. To me they were like the first text messages in that you had to limit your characters.I have a friend who still sends them. How nice that you have such treasures.

Oh this post is dear to my heart! I almost made Reno my home town many years ago! I even had an apartment rented and hauled all my belongings out there, only to turn around and come back to Minnesota! These postcards and photos are just fantastic! Funny there aren't so many telephone operators any more though are there? Very enjoyable, thanks!

That's a brave young lady sitting astride the bull! I prefer the ones with a fence between me and him. I've recently acquired a few postcards written by me but were saved to go in a scrapbook. Mind you mine were actually posted. You have a fine collection there Kathy.

Contact Info:

There are a lot of photos and other graphics on here, so it may take a while to load if you have a slower internet connection. I really appreciate the fact that some of you wait patiently to see what I have posted. Thank you to all my readers! Please leave a comment or send me an email at: oregongiftsofcomfortandjoy@hotmail.com

About Me:

Welcome to "Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy" My name is Kathy Matthews and I live in Central Oregon with my best friend husband, Cary. I am a fifth generation Oregonian who loves to take pictures, write, create, and go places with Cary. My main blog, Oregon Gifts, is an online journal, where I try my best to celebrate the positive portions of everyday life. My other blogs are off-shoots into my particular interest areas. Please enjoy your visit, and leave a comment if you feel led. If you would like to email me, here is my email address: oregongiftsofcomfortandjoy@
hotmail.com
Thank you!

"Celebrating the Positive Portions of Everyday Life."

Most of the photos on these websites were taken by me. Others are from my friends and family's FB pages. Enjoy them, but please do not claim them as your own or use/copy them. Thanks! All rights reserved on the contents of this website. Created by Kathy Matthews of Central Oregon, November 2008.